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Martina McBride posted a statement to “clear the air,” about an event that “turned out to be misleading.”
McBride, 59, dropped out of the Great American State Fair, a 16-day event from June 25 through July 10 aiming to observe the United States’ 250th anniversary. The country icon said in a statement she posted on Instagram on Thursday evening (May 28) that she believed the event would be “nonpartisan;” however, she found it to be “misleading.” McBride said:
“I would like to talk to you and clear the air. I will not be performing at the Great American State Fair on June 25th. I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading. I asked lots of questions and was assured this was a nonpartisan event that was meant to celebrate ALL 50 states. In my mind I thought this was a great way to celebrate the states and also bring people together in a way that only music can. I saw it as just a bigger version of so many state fairs I have performed at over the years, celebrating community and what makes each state special. Sounds fun, right? Wholesome even. Yesterday things started changing and what we were told is, in fact, not what is happening.
“I’ve spent my entire career singing songs about real people with real issues. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to be a voice for those who have felt like they didn’t have one. It greatly upsets me that any fan who has been moved by my music may now feel like I’m abandoning the meaning behind those songs. I assure you, that is not the case. I appreciate every single fan who has reached out. I hope to get back to the DC area very soon.”
Other artists have also dropped out of the Great American State Fair, including Bret Michaels, The Commodores and more. See McBride’s statement here: